My honourable friend the Minister of State for Borders and Immigration (Phil Woolas) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I am pleased to announce a further extension of the national identity service following a successful implementation of the introduction of voluntary identity cards, from 30 November 2009, in Greater Manchester and at Manchester and London City airports and, from 4 January 2010, to the rest of north-west England.

From 8 February 2010, young people aged between 16 and 24 who are resident in Greater London will be able to apply for a voluntary identity card at a fee of £30 at the relevant Identity and Passport Service office.

In addition, from 8 February 2010, anyone resident in the United Kingdom aged 16 and over who has registered an interest in identity cards, or registers their interest by 30 June 2010, on the Identity and Passport Service website at: https://info.ips.gov.uk/ipscw/reg may also apply for an identity card at the Identity and Passport Service offices in London and in north-west England.

Initially, these further rollout groups will cover British citizens who hold either a valid United Kingdom passport or one that has expired at any time since 1 January 2009.